Masters in Ethnomusicology

Masters in Ethnomusicology at Kathmandu University School of Arts

Masters in Ethnomusicology is a two-year, four-semester full-time graduate program under the Department of Music of Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA). The program is identified academically as Master in Ethnomusicology (M.Mus) and is designed to deepen students' understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music while preparing them for fieldwork, recording-based study, independent research, and completion of the master's degree.

KUSOA is a constituent academic unit of Kathmandu University (KU). While the School of Arts has its institutional base in Lalitpur, the Kathmandu University Department of Music is located at Chupin Ghat, Bhaktapur. The Department offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral study in Music.

Quick Highlights

KUSOA identifies 10 seats for Masters in Ethnomusicology.

About Masters in Ethnomusicology

The M.Mus program develops advanced study of music through an ethnomusicological approach. Its central academic focus is Nepalese and South Asian music, with fieldwork and research forming an important part of the two-year structure.

Students are prepared to work with music not only through study and performance but also through documentation and research. Fieldwork includes the use of recording media, connecting direct investigation of musical practices with the preparation of independent research.

This approach fits the wider academic work of the Kathmandu University Department of Music. The Department works across academic courses, practical music classes, performance, preservation, research, publication, and communication. Its work also includes sound archives and collections of musical instruments.

The master's course should therefore be understood as postgraduate study in music with a significant research and fieldwork dimension, rather than as performance training alone.

Duration and Academic Structure

Duration: The Master in Ethnomusicology is completed over two academic years.

The course consists of four semesters of full-time study. Students complete prescribed courses together with project work leading toward completion of the M.Mus degree.

The two-year format allows students to move from structured postgraduate study into field-based and independent research. The course is intended to deepen knowledge developed through previous music study while giving greater attention to research methods and direct engagement with musical practices.

Academic Focus

The curriculum is centered on a deeper understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music.

Fieldwork is specifically identified as part of preparation for independent research. Students may use recording media during this process, which places documentation alongside observation and academic analysis.

The wider Department of Music works through six connected areas:

• Academic courses

• Practical music classes

• Performance

• Preservation

• Research

• Publication and communication

These areas describe the Department's academic environment rather than a semester-by-semester M.Mus subject list. Preservation work includes a sound archive and a collection of musical instruments, while publication and communication can involve literature, recordings, documentary films, and online publication.

For a master's student, this departmental setting places music research alongside performance, documentation, preservation, and communication.

Fieldwork and Recording

Fieldwork is one of the clearest distinguishing components of the M.Mus program.

The course prepares students for field research that may involve recording media. This type of work allows students to study music within the settings where it is performed, transmitted, documented, or practiced and then connect those observations with academic research.

The emphasis is particularly relevant to ethnomusicology because the program is concerned with Nepalese and South Asian musical traditions rather than treating music only as an abstract theoretical subject.

Students considering the degree should therefore be prepared for academic work that extends beyond regular classroom study. Research preparation, documentation, field engagement, project work, and independent investigation are integral to the character of the program.

Research and Project Work

The M.Mus degree requires successful completion of prescribed courses and project work.

Research is not treated as a separate activity outside the academic program. The curriculum prepares students through fieldwork, including recording-based work, leading toward their own research.

The Department of Music also identifies research as one of its six core areas of activity. Its wider institutional purpose includes the study, documentation, preservation, communication, appreciation, and creative development of musical traditions in Nepal.

This setting makes independent inquiry particularly relevant for students who want to work with musical traditions through documentation, analysis, preservation, publication, or later academic study.

Teaching and Learning Environment

The Department of Music combines academic study with practical, research, preservation, and performance-oriented activity.

Its wider teaching environment includes practical music classes, academic courses, performance activity, preservation work, research, and publication. The Department also works with recording media and maintains resources connected with sound and musical instruments.

For M.Mus students, the strongest course-specific elements are full-time semester study, prescribed coursework, project work, fieldwork, recording media, and independent research.

KUSOA's graduate framework also includes research projects, dissertation work, field visits, library resources with online access, student exchange provisions, and credit-transfer facilities. Their application depends on the academic requirements of the individual program.

Admission and Eligibility

Admission, entrance procedures, curriculum, examinations, results, academic progression, and degree awards follow the rules and regulations of Kathmandu University together with the requirements of the Master in Ethnomusicology program.

KUSOA uses program-specific admission conditions for its master's degrees rather than one common eligibility threshold for every graduate course. Applicants for M.Mus should therefore use the current admission requirements issued specifically for the Department of Music and the relevant intake.

The Department of Music contact is:

Contact: Prof. Dr. Lochan Rijal
Phone: 01400591
Email: music.department@ku.edu.np

Examination and Academic Evaluation

Academic evaluation operates under Kathmandu University rules and the applicable requirements of KUSOA and the Department of Music.

KUSOA uses a four-point letter-grade system:

Students receive the M.Mus degree after successfully completing the prescribed academic requirements, courses, and project work across the four semesters.

Department of Music and Ethnomusicology

The Kathmandu University Department of Music places ethnomusicology within a wider academic effort concerned with Nepal's musical traditions.

Its work includes:

• Study and practice of music

• Documentation

• Preservation

• Communication

• Performance

• Research

• Publication

• Recording

• Collection of musical instruments

The Department also seeks to involve traditional musicians and dancers in activities connected with intangible heritage.

This institutional setting is relevant to M.Mus students because the master's curriculum emphasizes Nepalese and South Asian music, field research, recording, and independent academic work.

Students interested in the undergraduate pathway within the same department can also read about the Bachelor in Ethnomusicology.

Skills Developed Through the Program

The combination of postgraduate coursework, fieldwork, recording, project work, and independent research can support development in areas such as:

• Ethnomusicological research

• Field-based music study

• Music documentation

• Use of recording media for research

• Analysis of Nepalese and South Asian music

• Academic writing and project work

• Music-related research communication

• Documentation and preservation practices

The exact depth of each area depends on the prescribed coursework, research project, and the student's own academic work.

Career and Further Study Areas

The Department of Music identifies several areas in which music study and related skills can be applied. These include performance, training, preservation and presentation of culture, research, publication, media work, tourism, consultation, international presentation, and cultural policy-related work.

Graduates may therefore consider work connected with:

• Music research

• Performance

• Music education and training

• Cultural documentation

• Music preservation

• Archives and collections

• Publication

• Media-related music work

• Cultural presentation

• Research and academic projects

Career paths depend on the graduate's research interests, musical abilities, experience, further training, and available opportunities.

The Department of Music also offers doctoral-level study in Music, providing an academic route for graduates who wish to continue beyond the master's level.

Who May Consider Masters in Ethnomusicology?

The program may suit students who want postgraduate study centered on Nepalese and South Asian music and who are comfortable combining music study with field research.

It is particularly relevant to those interested in documentation, preservation, recording, research, performance, and the study of musical traditions in their social and cultural settings.

Students should also be prepared for a full-time, four-semester commitment and for independent work extending beyond classroom learning. The program requires prescribed coursework and project work and specifically prepares students for fieldwork leading to their own research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Masters in Ethnomusicology at Kathmandu University?

It is a master's-level music program under the Kathmandu University Department of Music within Kathmandu University School of Arts. The degree is identified as Master in Ethnomusicology (M.Mus).

How long is the Masters in Ethnomusicology program?

The program takes two academic years and is divided into four semesters of full-time study.

How many seats are available for Masters in Ethnomusicology?

KUSOA identifies 10 seats for the program.

Where is the Kathmandu University Department of Music located?

The Department of Music is located at Chupin Ghat, Bhaktapur. Kathmandu University School of Arts itself has its institutional base in Lalitpur.

What is the main academic focus of M.Mus?

The curriculum is designed to deepen understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music and prepare students for fieldwork, recording-based study, and independent research.

Does the M.Mus program include fieldwork?

Yes. Fieldwork is specifically included in the academic preparation for the program and may involve the use of recording media.

Does Masters in Ethnomusicology include research?

Yes. Students complete project work, and the curriculum prepares them for fieldwork leading to their own research.

Is Masters in Ethnomusicology a full-time course?

Yes. It is structured as four semesters of full-time study over two academic years.

What career areas are related to ethnomusicology?

Relevant areas include music research, performance, training, preservation, cultural documentation, publication, media work, archives, and cultural presentation. Career outcomes depend on individual skills, experience, and available opportunities.

Can M.Mus graduates continue to doctoral study?

The Kathmandu University Department of Music offers study at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels in Music.